EU public strongly endorses recent changes
in European agricultural policy

One of the main findings of a new poll examining
the attitudes of citizens to Agriculture and the Common Agricultural Policy,
published today, is that the EU public strongly supports recent reforms to EU
farm policy. In what has been a policy area that often divides opinion, the
results show a predominantly favourable reaction to two of the key elements of
the 2003 agreement on CAP reform. The survey, conducted by TNS Opinion on
behalf of the European Commission Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural
Development, was carried out between the
17th of November and the 19th
of December 2006. Using the methodology of the standard Eurobarometer survey,
around 1000 face-to-face interviews were conducted in each of the (at that time)
25 EU Member States.

Most clearly, an overwhelming majority of European citizens support the
‘cross-compliance’ principle, whereby farmers face a reduction
in payments if they fail to meet environmental, animal welfare or food safety
standards. Over 8 out of 10 people support such measures, with the proportion
saying these are justified between 83% and 86% depending on the specific
standards in question.

Linked to this, the public has reacted favourably towards changes in the
way in which farmers receive support. Almost 5 times as many think that
giving more funding to rural development, as well paying farmers directly
instead of subsidising their products are positive developments (49%) compared
to those who think they are negative (11%). The remainder of the poll offered a
neutral opinion or no answer.

There is also distinct evidence of views on the future direction of
agricultural policy, with the public envisioning agriculture and the rural
areas continuing to play a central role in the EU: Almost 9 in every 10
(88%) say that these are key issues for the future of Europe.

This is reflected in opinions on the proportion of the EU budget devoted
to the CAP, which is currently around 40%. Almost 6 in 10 (58%) believe that
this should either stay the same or increase in years to come, compared
to a figure of just 17% who think this should decrease.

More specifically, the factors people believe the EU should prioritise within
agricultural policy are:

Ensuring farmers supply them with healthy and safe food (mentioned by
41%)

Ensuring both farmers (37%) and consumers (35%) get a fair deal in the
market

Respect for the environment (33%) and the welfare of farm animals
(27%)

The CAP is currently perceived as fulfilling its role
well, with a good share of favourable ratings on the supply of healthy/safe
food environmental respect and animal welfare.

The poll was also conducted in Romania and Bulgaria, with these results not
included in the calculation of EU averages due to the two countries’
status during the poll as Acceding countries.